Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a complex and ever-changing field, and anchor text is one of the least understood components. If done correctly, anchor text can help to improve a webpage’s search engine ranking. However, if misused, it can actually do more harm than good. For this reason, anchor text is often considered to be one of the most challenging aspects of SEO content writing.
What Is Anchor Text and How Important Is It?
Anchor text is the visible text used in a hyperlink, and it plays a vital role in how search engines rank web pages. This text typically describes the destination of the link, which gives visitors an idea of where they will be taken if they click on it. The purpose of anchor text is to provide a way for visitors to navigate to a specific page on a website. In many cases, the text will also contain keywords that describe the content of the linked page, which can help improve the visibility of that page in search engine results.
Anchor text can help to improve a website’s search engine ranking for a target keyword. However, writers must be careful to avoid keyword stuffing, which is the overuse of a target keyword in an attempt to manipulate search engine results. Keyword stuffing can result in search engine penalties and should be avoided.
Different Kinds of Anchor Texts
Anchor texts are words that link to other websites or pages. They play an essential role in SEO because they help search engines understand the context of the page that they are relating to. There are 7 different types of anchor texts, and each has a different purpose.
- Generic Anchor Text: This is the most common type of anchor text. It is non-descriptive and usually just says something like “click here” or “read more”.
- Branded Anchor Text: This is when the anchor text includes the brand name of the company or website. This is usually used when a company is trying to promote its brand or create brand awareness. For example, “Apple” or “Samsung”.
- Exact Match Anchor Text: Exact match anchor texts are those that use the exact keyword or phrase that you are trying to rank for. These are often used when you are trying to target a particular keyword. For example, if you are trying to rank for the keyword “blue shoes”, your exact match anchor text would be “blue shoes”.
- Partial Match Anchor Text: Partial match anchor texts are similar to exact match anchor texts, but they do not use the exact keyword or phrase. Instead, they use a related keyword or phrase. For example, if you are trying to rank for the keyword “blue shoes”, your partial match anchor text could be “best blue shoes” or “shoes in blue colour”.
- Related Anchor Text: This type of anchor text includes keywords that are related to the main keyword. For example, if you are trying to rank for the keyword “blue shoes”, your related anchor text could be “sneakers”, “running shoes”, or “tennis shoes”.
- Naked Link Anchor Text: This type of anchor text is just a URL without any keywords or other words attached to it. These are often used when quoting other sources or pointing readers to further reading on a topic.
- Image Alt Text Anchor Links: Image alt text is the text that appears when you hover over an image on a web page (it’s also used by screen readers). This text can be used as an anchor link, which can be helpful if you have several images on a page and want to give readers the option to click through to different destinations.
What Are the Best Anchor Text Strategies for Link Building?
When it comes to link building, anchor text is an important consideration. Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. It can be used to promote keywords and help improve the search engine optimisation of a website. However, it’s important to use anchor text wisely, as over-optimisation can result in penalties from search engines. Here are some best practices for using anchor text in link building:
- Using Relevant Anchors: It’s important to use anchors that are relevant to the page you’re linking to. For example, if you’re linking to a page about dog food, an anchor like “healthy dog food” would be more relevant than “click here.”
Using irrelevant anchors, not only looks unnatural but can also be confusing for users. In addition, relevant anchors help to build trust with your audience by showing that you’re an expert on the topic.
- Choosing Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to have a few high-quality links with relevant anchor text than many low-quality links with irrelevant anchor text. In addition, it’s important to vary your anchor text so that it doesn’t appear too repetitive or spammy. When selecting sites to link to, ensure that they are of high quality and relevant to your own. If Google discovers that you are linking to low-quality or spammy sites, it will penalise you, so choose wisely.
- Tracking and Testing Anchor Texts: Use Google Analytics or another tracking tool to track the performance of your anchor texts. This will help you see which ones are working well and which ones need to be improved.
- Using Different Types of Anchor Text: In addition to keyword-rich anchor text, you should also use generic anchors like “click here” and branded anchors (anchors that include your brand name). This will help create a more well-rounded link profile.
How Should Anchor Text Be Optimised For SEO?
One of the most important aspects of on-page SEO is optimising your anchor text. Anchor text is clickable text in a hyperlink, and it is a key factor in how Google understands the relationship between pages on your website. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the most misunderstood aspects of SEO.
Many people believe that anchor text optimisation is all about cramming as many keywords into your links as possible. However, this approach can actually do more harm than good. Google’s algorithms are getting better and better at detecting keyword stuffing, and you could end up being penalised for it. The best way to optimise your anchor text is to use relevant terms and avoid over-optimising. Here are some more specific tips:
- Avoid using the same anchor text more than once. If you’re linking to the same page multiple times, mix up your anchor text to avoid being penalised for keyword stuffing.
- Use a suitable type of anchor text. There are different types of anchors, including brand anchors, generic anchors, raw URLs, and exact-match keywords. Each has its own purpose, so use them appropriately.
- Do not force keywords into your anchor text. If a keyword doesn’t naturally fit into your sentence, don’t force it in there just for the sake of optimisation. It will probably sound awkward and Google will likely penalise you for it anyway.
- Use synonyms and grammatical numbers. When you’re link-building services, don’t just use the same word over and over again. By using synonyms, you can avoid repeating the same anchor text too often. This method also allows you to take advantage of both singular and plural forms of the keywords.
For example, if your website is about hiking, you could use the keywords “hiking” as well as “backpacking,” “trail walking,” and “mountain climbing.” By diversifying your keywords, you can make your anchor text more effective and improve your chances of getting higher rankings in search engine results pages.
Anchor Text Link Building Techniques from SEO Experts
If you’re serious about ranking higher in search engine results, then you need to be strategic about your anchor text. The right anchor text can make all the difference in whether or not your links are effective. That’s why it’s so important to work with SEO experts who can help you choose the perfect anchor text for your needs.
At Star Digital Marketing, we can assist you with anchor text link-building techniques. We track and monitor the performance of anchor texts using cutting-edge tools. We also analyse metrics and make changes as needed to improve rankings. Anchor text optimisation is a critical component of our link-building strategies, and it can lead to increased organic traffic to your website. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
